How many of you want to be masterful in communication, whether presenting at an internal meeting or to potential clients? We all want to leave a lasting impression every time.
Is that difficult to do? No. I believe communication is a skill not a talent. No one is born talented in communication. However, everyone is capable of building on that skill.
Building on your communication skills systematically is what you need to do.
Step Zero is preparation. That’s the step which we often try and get over with quickly. The more you prepare, the harder you work on your preparation, the better and more confident you will feel when you are presenting.
Suppose you have make a presentation to your CEO, or it’s just an introduction you have too make for two or three minutes, how would you start, how would deliver… If you have prepared adequately, you would go into it confidently.
When I am talking about the preparation, I am not only talking about the data, the statistics, or the Power Point slides, I am talking equally about other parts. For instance, your body language.
It is important that we remember that when we are making a presentation in a professional environment, we are talking to a fellow human being. At times we gather all the information and just put it out, forgetting the person at other end who is receiving the information. Is there clarity in my speech and am I delivering my speech keeping in mind the recipient of that information, who is constantly asking: what’s in it for me? Have we asked ourselves that question over and over again?
When you are communicating, it is important to pause and see how your words are being received. When you don’t pause at strategic points, it just shows that you are wrapped up in yourself and too excited about what you are saying. Instead, if you slow down, especially at points that need to be highlighted, you gain the listener’s attention. These are aspects that make a good presenter good, and an outstanding presenter outstanding.
Every time you walk into a room, you make an instant impression. That is true even for the virtual world. In these times of the pandemic, we have the computer screen to make an impact on people we are talking to.
My mentor David JP Philips from Sweden, after studying 5000 speakers and presenters all around the world, came up with 110 steps to become a great communicator. If I tell you about those 110 steps most of them are about our body language and voice.
How many of you feel little nervous or anxious before going in for a presentation? Because as we are preparing the content, we are preparing so that we come on stage and we are looking forward to an outstanding outcome. We have so many thoughts running through the mind—e.g. how can I make this better? Or will this be enough? Prepare for your presentation elaborately but stop overthinking about how the presentation will go. Instead, stay in the moment. That will help you manage your nervousness and anxiety, if not get rid of it completely.
Confidence, I believe, comes from overcoming your nervousness and anxiety. You need accept your anxiety. Everyone feels a certain degree of trepidation. Reframe the situation mentally. Detach your focus from the outcome and live in the moment. Prepare for your presentation thoroughly. You will see the change.
I had been in the corporate world for five years, working as a relationship manager with HDFC Bank, but I knew that my calling was elsewhere.
Taking that step was tough. Tough because I didn’t know many things about the direction in which I wanted to move. I had to teach myself. I had to research thoroughly. I had to connect with the right kind of people who could teach and mentor me. It was undoubtedly a difficult phase but I was determined to do all it took to become a good speaker and communicator.
Well, that was then. Today, I stand before you as an international trainer. I train clients who work with Fortune 500 companies, especially professionals out there trying to master their presentation skills, online and offline.
My mission is to help a million people live an empowered life with the power of communication. Good communication skills that you acquire bring you that empowerment.
About Juvi Alex
Juvi is an established keynote speaker and corporate trainer. She has made a lasting impact on the lives of employees at well-known companies as well as on students of several colleges and universities. She conducts enriching workshops and interactive coaching sessions.